EE FR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2003
Volume 2, Issue 126
Santa Monica Daily Press A newspaper with issues
L O T T O FANTASY 5 17, 20, 21, 24, 37 DAILY 3 Afternoon picks: 9, 6, 0 Evening picks: 2, 2, 5 DAILY DERBY 1st Place: 06, Whirl Win 2nd Place: 04, Big Ben 3rd Place: 09, Winning Spirit Race time: 1:44.47
NEWS OF THE WEIRD by Chuck Shepard
■ Israeli Aircraft Industries Ltd. is now testing an “airplane” the size of a credit card (flight time: 20 minutes), containing cameras and transmitters to relay intelligence from battlefields, or from the insides of buildings by going through open windows. ■ The company TrapTec (Escondido, Calif.) is now in the final testing of “anti-graffiti” sensors that are so responsive that they can identify taggers who use spray paint just by the distinctive hissing sound of the aerosol can (and automatically tell police the taggers’ location, via global positioning system technology).
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
It’s easy to make a friend. What’s hard is to make a stranger. INDEX Horoscopes Relax tonight, Leo . . . . . . . .2
Local Surf report . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Opinion Terror insurance pricey . . .4
State Weho cats to go clawless .7
National Dems and Haliburton . . . . .9
International Tour of secret jail . . . . . . .10
Sports Jordan speaks . . . . . . . . .11
Classifieds $3.50 a day! . . . . . . . . . . .13
Calendar Movie listings . . . . . . . . . .15
Universal healthcare bill sponsored by Sen. BY JOHN WOOD Daily Press Staff Writer
State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, who represents Santa Monica in Sacramento, is leading an effort that would guarantee healthcare for every Californian. Kuehl’s bill would provide free coverage to every resident of the state, mainly by raising income taxes roughly 3 percent. Under the plan, insurance co-payments, deductibles and insurance premiums would be eliminated entirely. “The whole health care system is unraveling pretty rapidly,” Kuehl said in an interview Monday. “We’re headed for a high storm.” Local politicians appear to sup-
port the bill. Councilmember Bob Holbrook and Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown sponsored a request that went before the City Council Tuesday that would voice the city’s support for the bill to state legislators and Gov. Gray Davis. City Council members say they support the bill because it is a “universal coverage” plan and would cover all residents. Councilmember Holbrook said the plan would give the state bargaining power to buy prescription medicines in bulk, similar to drug-purchasing methods used in Canada. “The Americans pay more for prescription products than anywhere in the world,” said See BILL, page 5
Empty shelves
John Wood/Daily Press
Moving crews continued packing the Santa Monica Main Library’s 250,000-volume collection Tuesday. Some of the books will be taken to the temporary library at 1324 Fifth Street, while others will be boxed, put on palates, wrapped in cellophane and taken to a storage facility. The remodeled library is scheduled to open June 2005.
Santa Monica artist sues Trial starts against Tommy over arm amputation Lee over child drowning
Car accident put him in the hospital for months
BY LINDA DEUTSCH
BY JOHN WOOD
AP Special Correspondent
Daily Press Staff Writer
Rock musician Tommy Lee, testifying in a lawsuit over the drowning of a little boy in his pool, told a Santa Monica jury Tuesday he was concerned with the safety of 15 to 20 children who came to his son’s birthday party but was certain all had parents or guardians to look after them. Daniel Karven-Veres, 4, drowned on June 16, 2001, during a party for Lee’s son Brandon. Daniel’s parents, actress Ursula Karven and TV producer James Veres, seek unspecified damages in the wrongful-death lawsuit against Lee, 40, former drummer for the Dories, which are located under- band Motley Crue. Lee testified that he sat by the See SUIT, page 6 neath the Santa Monica Pier.
A Santa Monica artist whose arm was amputated after he rolled his SUV is suing his doctors for malpractice. Manfred Muller, a 46-year-old sculptor and public works artist, rolled his car off of Interstate 5 in October of 1999 between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Jurors heard from expert witnesses Tuesday, the 14th day of trial. Lawyers said the case could go on Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press another two weeks. At issue in the case is whether German-born artist Manfred Muller Muller’s caregivers should have created the above bright red
pool throughout the party at his Malibu home, and for about 45 minutes was engrossed in conversation with a man he called his “life coach.” He said he did not hire a lifeguard and doesn’t remember telling anyone after the tragedy that he had done so. “As far as you’re concerned you did everything right?” asked attorney Thomas Girardi, who represents the parents of the dead child. “Yes,” said Lee. “That’s how you should have a party for 4-year-olds?” asked the lawyer. “Yes,” Lee replied. “It was a great party.” Asked if he was particularly See TRIAL, page 6
U.S. consolidates Baghdad position while friendly fire hits north BY CALVIN WOODWARD Associated Press Writer
A U.S. military plane landed Sunday at Baghdad’s international airport while American forces completed their encirclement of the capital, rapidly chipping away at vestiges of Saddam Hussein’s power.
The intense fighting took a growing toll on combatants and civilians, however. Russian diplomats and a convoy of America’s Kurdish comrades in arms were among unintended victims caught in crossfire and friendly fire. A C-130 cargo plane landed at the airport late Sunday, demon-
strating that the allies were now ready to put the recently captured tarmac to their own use. Southeast of Baghdad, Marines seized one of Saddam’s palaces, poked through remnants of a Republican Guard headquarters and searched a suspected terrorist training camp, finding the shell of
a passenger jet believed to be used for hijacking practice. U.S. forces consolidated positions encircling Baghdad and declared they controlled all highways in and out of the city — a day after raiding the capital and killing perhaps several thousand See WAR, page 10